Published November 24, 2015 at 8:51 PM Updated December 7, 2015 at 2:42 PM

On Sunday, Colombia’s government announced the pardon of 30 jailed FARC rebels as a confidence building measure towards ongoing peace talks. Meanwhile, an investigation opened up into possible war crimes by surviving leaders of another rebel group.

CCTV’s Michelle Begue reports from Bogotá.

Colombia pardoned 30 jailed FARC rebels

Colombia pardoned 30 jailed FARC rebels

On Sunday, Colombia’s government announced the pardon of 30 jailed FARC rebels as a confidence building measure towards ongoing peace talks. Meanwhile, an investigation opened up into possible war crimes by surviving leaders of another rebel group. CCTV’s Michelle Begue reports from Bogotá.

The FARC welcomed the release of its jailed rebels and accepted the gesture. The Colombian government says none of those being pardoned were in prison for “serious” crimes.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has said that he does not agree with the revision of pardons, but the investigation by the prosecutor general’s office will still continue. The debate that has been sparked may prove that any peace deal will only last with reconciliation.

This isn’t the first time the Colombian government absolved rebels of their crimes.
Officials pardoned another rebel group called the M-19 after they demobilized in 1991.